Huckaby's friend finds it 'Difficult to imagine'High school companion struggles to understand how the girl she once knew could become a woman accused of a horrific crime

By Daniel ThigpenMay 24, 2009Record Staff Writer She was a teenager with a wide grin, posing for her high school yearbook, just 10 years before she became the weary Melissa Huckaby seen throughout the world staring sullenly into a jailhouse camera.

In the decade that transpired between those starkly different images, her life had slowly unraveled. The pieces of the Tracy woman's past that have emerged since her April arrest in connection with the rape and murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu illustrate a young woman's disastrous downward spiral.

Yet those details - the ones known publicly, at least - likely only scratch the surface of the 28-year-old single mother, who spent her years after graduating from high school bouncing between homes and toxic relationships, battling depression and building a small criminal record.

Huckaby's high school companion Emily Fontes still cannot comprehend how her long-lost friend ended up accused of such inexplicable crimes.

"It's really difficult to imagine she could be capable of something like this," Fontes said. "The second I saw her booking picture, I just lost it. I was hysterical."

Fontes and then Melissa Lawless were inseparable during their last two years at Brea Olinda High School in Orange County, Fontes said. They performed on the dance squad together, wrote notebooks full of messages to each other and fought over a boy.

"We were just normal teens. We didn't get into trouble," Fontes said.

Still, her friend struggled with dark emotions that Fontes, at the time, chalked up to typical teenage tribulations. Huckaby argued frequently with her mother. She felt depressed and entertained thoughts of suicide.

They graduated in 1999, and Fontes moved away for college. When she returned one hot summer, she noticed her friend was wearing long sleeves. She had been cutting herself, Fontes said. Huckaby declined to talk about it.

In 2001, Fontes was engaged and asked Huckaby to be her maid of honor. But Huckaby stopped returning her calls and, as Fontes put it, "fell off the face of the earth."

They would not reconnect until about four years later, when Huckaby reached out through a social networking Web site.

It had been a trying period.

In 2002, she was living in Tracy with her grandparents, Lane and Connie Lawless, in the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park when she took out a restraining order against an ex-boyfriend.

In court papers filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court, she said the 21-year-old man, who had an extensive criminal record and a restraining order from a previous marriage, had stalked and threatened to kill her.

The same year, she was sued by the local hospital for amassing more than $10,000 in unpaid medical bills.

In 2003, she filed for federal bankruptcy protection. She was pregnant, on leave from her grocery store job and receiving $600 a month in disability payments.

She listed $5,200 in assets and $26,000 in debt.

Eight days later, she married her child's father, Johnny Huckaby. They moved to Orange County and separated a little more than a year later, divorcing in 2005.

In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" last month, Johnny Huckaby said his ex-wife struggled with depression but that he never thought her capable of hurting a child.

She won custody of their daughter, Madison, and stayed in Southern California, at one point moving back in with her parents, Brian and Judy Lawless, according to court papers.

That was about the time she contacted Fontes. Her old high school friend was thrilled. Huckaby had returned to school, received a vocational degree and was working.

"I was just so relieved that she was OK," Fontes said. "I was happy for her, even though it sounded like she had had some difficulties."

If there was any break from the chaos, it was short-lived.

In 2006, Huckaby was convicted of petty theft in Los Angeles County and served a short jail sentence. The next year, she was investigated in connection with two small arson fires in a home she rented in La Palma but was not arrested, police said.

Huckaby and her daughter moved back in with her grandparents in Tracy by summer 2008, according to court documents.

Connie Lawless, who said she is convinced her granddaughter is innocent, said Huckaby returned to help her grandparents.

"Our health hasn't been so good," she said. "We've always enjoyed our granddaughter and her little girl. ... I think she's a great mom."

Some mobile home park neighbors would say they knew little about Huckaby and rarely saw Madison, who became one of Sandra's playmates. Huckaby started teaching Sunday school at her grandparent's small Baptist church down the road.

Huckaby was arrested again in late 2008, this time charged with stealing from a Target store. A judge ordered two doctors to evaluate Huckaby, and they agreed she was competent to stand trial but that there was evidence of mental illness, although court records do not indicate a diagnosis.

Prosecutors agreed to drop the petty theft count from her record if she completed a yearlong mental health program, court papers say.

Huckaby was still enrolled when, in January, a woman in the trailer park accused Huckaby of taking her 7-year-old daughter and drugging her.

Tracy police said they investigated and had no evidence to make an arrest at the time, but Huckaby has since been charged in that incident as well.

On March 6, her last appearance in mental health court, Huckaby's counselor said she was making progress.

Three weeks later, Sandra disappeared from the mobile home park. Her body was found April 6 stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in a nearby dairy lagoon.

In the meantime, Huckaby had missed her scheduled court hearing three days earlier.

Police arrested Huckaby on April 10 on charges she murdered Sandra. Police called her in for questioning that day after she granted an interview to a local newspaper and, police said, provided statements inconsistent with those made previously to investigators.

At the San Joaquin County Jail, Huckaby was put on suicide watch. In recent court papers, her ex-husband said she had swallowed razor blades.

Police have released few details about Sandra's alleged murder, and anyone involved with the case is now prohibited from speaking about it because of a judge's gag order.

As she tries to make sense of the allegations, Fontes, Huckaby's high school confidant, recalls their e-mail exchanges four years ago, now a bittersweet memory.

On this Memorial Day please remember to give thanks and honor those who have laid down their lives in the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberty and freedom.

To often in the United States we look for heroes in the wrong places or we use the term hero when it should never be. These individuals who have died to protect our way of life are and always will be true, American Heroes.

May everyone have a safe and happy Memorial Day ... Please remember to say a prayer and thank those who have laid down their lives for us.

Former sex crimes prosecutor Wendy Murphy says the new drugs charges against Melissa Huckaby could be related to the pornography business—and that the accused child killer is exactly the type of weak woman child pornographers seek to exploit.

Former sex crimes prosecutor Wendy Murphy says the new drugs charges against Melissa Huckaby could be related to the pornography business—and that the accused child killer is exactly the type of weak woman child pornographers seek to exploit.

This is an "interesting" article from the embattled Wendy Murphy. Of course everyone expects that at some point this crime may be ultimately linked to child porn. But her article is written like most others she writes--from a means justifies the ends approach. She thinks that lends credibility to it. Her performance in the Duke Lacrosse case will forever taint her credibility, and she's just trying to win some of that back. She is known for engaging in demonstrably untrue statements and wide-ranging speculation to fit her claims. And that's true here too. For example, she claims that in the January incident, "cops did nothing to examine her for evidence of abuse until months later." Well, somewhat true. The cops didn't, but the CYS and the hospital did. While I admit such an examination may not show evidence of some molestation and exploitation, her statement is really only a 1/2 truth. So, the value of it to her conclusion is 50/50.

She also claims that benzos are widely used in the child porn business to sedate victims. She draws this conclusion from adult pornography and rape, and links it to crimes against children. The truth is, I couldn't find any studies that show benzos are widely used in the child porn business. That's not to say it's not true. But if she's going to make that statement, she should back it up with something other than drawing an inference from adult pornography.

Murphy does admit that drugging an adult male throws a monkey wrench into the deal. However, she then rationalizes that away by drawing up a factually baseless, hypothetical scenario. That's just plain ridiculous.

Next, she claims that MH's defense attorney delayed entering a plea so he could examine evidence, including evidence from a computer taken from the Huckaby residence. I'm not sure that's correct either. From what I've seen from reading the reports of Friday's hearing and the court's order, the defense asked to review records from a computer taken from Sinclair's residence, not Huckaby's.

Her justification for linking the computer to the likelihood that MH was engaged in producing child porn is laughable. I'll quote it: "Few types of criminal cases involve evidence seized from computer files because most crimes have nothing to do with computers. On the other hand, almost all child porn cases involve evidence seized from computer files, as well as reams of other evidence—the nature of the crime is such that networks of people tend to be involved, which means lots of witnesses are interviewed and many search warrants are executed." How funny. The truth is, MOST crimes now involve the use of computers. For example, MH may have been researching the effect of benzos on children. Indeed, she may have bought the drugs online. She may have been looking for dosing information. She may have been looking for information on how to increase its efficacy. Think Casey Anthony. Think myspace. Think Facebook. Think email. Think journals and notes. Think how many cases we've read about in the past that involved computer evidence. Truth be told, computer's are an integral part of any investigation, and they often reveal the most telling evidence in any crime, not just those involving pornography.

Finally, her analysis of MH as a weak pathetic individual is somewhat believable. But based on MH"s past conduct (the fires, the prior druggings, the thefts), and her conduct following Sandra's disappearance, I have a hard time believing she's vulnerable and manipulable and the "perfect target." MH is well in control of her faculties. If it turns out that MH was involved in the child porn business, she was, in my opinion, a willing participant in a family business, not a targeted mule.

I suppose I should have also mentioned that this appeared in The Dailey Beast--not necessarily the gold standard in news reporting. Here's how they describe themselves:

What is The Daily Beast?

It's a speedy, smart edit of the web from the merciless point of view of what interests the editors. The Daily Beast is the omnivorous friend who hears about the best stuff and forwards it to you with a twist. It allows you to lead the conversation, rather than simply follow it.

Does the world really need another news aggregator?

The Daily Beast doesn't aggregate. It sifts, sorts, and curates. We're as much about what's not there as what is. And we freshen the stream with a good helping of our own original content from a wonderfully diverse group of contributors … satirist Christopher Buckley, historian Sean Wilentz, former McCain adviser Mark McKinnon, Project Runway’s Laura Bennett, the former editor of Al-Hayat Salameh Nematt, Facebook’s Randi Zuckerberg, Nick Ciarelli who founded Think Secret, and many others.

What's with the name?

Among other things, it's the name of the newspaper in Scoop, Evelyn Waugh's hilarious satire of Fleet Street, which happens to be my favorite novel of all time. For those who prefer Henry James, let's just say the beast knows its way through the jungle.

I'd also add that Wendy Murphy prepared a similar "blog" tying Casey Anthony to the child porn business. Her evidence? They took her computer and Casey might have used chloroform to sedate little Casey. She then says CHOLORFORM is often used in the child porn industry to sedate victims. Where does that come from? She also draws a parallel to MH, although without all the mental hype. (Sorry, I lost the link, but if go to the dailybeast site and search "Wendy Murphy," you'll find it.)

Sorry if I am coming across a little harsh here. But this case breaks my heart into a million pieces. and every time I read articles that are written with the absolute worst imaginable scenario in mind, and that are based on nothing more than rampant speculation, it really upsets me.

Former sex crimes prosecutor Wendy Murphy says the new drugs charges against Melissa Huckaby could be related to the pornography business—and that the accused child killer is exactly the type of weak woman child pornographers seek to exploit.

This is an "interesting" article from the embattled Wendy Murphy. Of course everyone expects that at some point this crime may be ultimately linked to child porn. But her article is written like most others she writes--from a means justifies the ends approach. She thinks that lends credibility to it. Her performance in the Duke Lacrosse case will forever taint her credibility, and she's just trying to win some of that back. She is known for engaging in demonstrably untrue statements and wide-ranging speculation to fit her claims. And that's true here too. For example, she claims that in the January incident, "cops did nothing to examine her for evidence of abuse until months later." Well, somewhat true. The cops didn't, but the CYS and the hospital did. While I admit such an examination may not show evidence of some molestation and exploitation, her statement is really only a 1/2 truth. So, the value of it to her conclusion is 50/50.

She also claims that benzos are widely used in the child porn business to sedate victims. She draws this conclusion from adult pornography and rape, and links it to crimes against children. The truth is, I couldn't find any studies that show benzos are widely used in the child porn business. That's not to say it's not true. But if she's going to make that statement, she should back it up with something other than drawing an inference from adult pornography.

Murphy does admit that drugging an adult male throws a monkey wrench into the deal. However, she then rationalizes that away by drawing up a factually baseless, hypothetical scenario. That's just plain ridiculous.

Next, she claims that MH's defense attorney delayed entering a plea so he could examine evidence, including evidence from a computer taken from the Huckaby residence. I'm not sure that's correct either. From what I've seen from reading the reports of Friday's hearing and the court's order, the defense asked to review records from a computer taken from Sinclair's residence, not Huckaby's.

Her justification for linking the computer to the likelihood that MH was engaged in producing child porn is laughable. I'll quote it: "Few types of criminal cases involve evidence seized from computer files because most crimes have nothing to do with computers. On the other hand, almost all child porn cases involve evidence seized from computer files, as well as reams of other evidence—the nature of the crime is such that networks of people tend to be involved, which means lots of witnesses are interviewed and many search warrants are executed." How funny. The truth is, MOST crimes now involve the use of computers. For example, MH may have been researching the effect of benzos on children. Indeed, she may have bought the drugs online. She may have been looking for dosing information. She may have been looking for information on how to increase its efficacy. Think Casey Anthony. Think myspace. Think Facebook. Think email. Think journals and notes. Think how many cases we've read about in the past that involved computer evidence. Truth be told, computer's are an integral part of any investigation, and they often reveal the most telling evidence in any crime, not just those involving pornography.

Finally, her analysis of MH as a weak pathetic individual is somewhat believable. But based on MH"s past conduct (the fires, the prior druggings, the thefts), and her conduct following Sandra's disappearance, I have a hard time believing she's vulnerable and manipulable and the "perfect target." MH is well in control of her faculties. If it turns out that MH was involved in the child porn business, she was, in my opinion, a willing participant in a family business, not a targeted mule.

This is, of course, just my opinion and, I hope, an objective one.

All Right Girl Friend !!!! I know people like Wendy Murphy. 50% which was not achieved on their own - use the 50% - to make a name for themselves. I was disappointed to see her suddenly pop up in this case and try to get recognition !

Former sex crimes prosecutor Wendy Murphy says the new drugs charges against Melissa Huckaby could be related to the pornography business—and that the accused child killer is exactly the type of weak woman child pornographers seek to exploit.

Wendy Murphy need to find yet another job. Her reasoning/logic is just not there. To say Melissa Huckaby is a weak woman is not based on one shred of truth. Mental issues does not a weak woman make, duh!

As a former prosecutor I must say I am saddened at such an ill-researched piece. You know full well that drivel would not have so much as secured a warrant to search a shared computer in a public library flashing child porn ads.

Few things:This child WAS examined at the hospital on 1/17/09, not just following Huckaby's arrest.

I could find NO study linking Benzos to child porn or date rape.

I have never seen a single report referring to any victims as "poisoned". Apparently neither have you as there is not a single source link in this article for anything.

That said, you bluffed your way through what should have been an important piece had you taken the time to research it. Here's a thought. Pretend you are BUILDING A CASE for same against Huckaby.

I'll be gracious and give you a place to start:

The Tracy PD has been quoted as saying they FOUND child porn in SEVERAL homes in Orchard Estates. However, there have been no arrests to date. Whadda ya make of that?

This is very interesting, Sacsayhuan. The evidence supports the opinion of the former Sacramento FBI profiler that is saying the January incident and the adult drugging were "practice" runs, and that Sandra's murder was premeditated--that MH was "obsessed" with Sandra and has been planning her murder for quite some time. Wow. I'll see if I can find the link to the article. She's a sociopath. If I had the opportunity, I'd pull the levers myself.

As an aside, maybe the good Wendy Murphy can learn something from this . . .

This is very interesting, Sacsayhuan. The evidence supports the opinion of the former Sacramento FBI profiler that is saying the January incident and the adult drugging were "practice" runs, and that Sandra's murder was premeditated--that MH was "obsessed" with Sandra and has been planning her murder for quite some time. Wow. I'll see if I can find the link to the article. She's a sociopath. If I had the opportunity, I'd pull the levers myself.

As an aside, maybe the good Wendy Murphy can learn something from this . . .

By The RecordMay 26, 2009 6:00 AMTRACY - Memories of Sandra Cantu - and the community's search for the slain girl - were at the heart of Tracy's participation Monday in National Missing Children's Day.

It was the city's first time to connect with the event started by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

The four-hour event was held at Dr. Powers Park on Lowell Avenue.

The focus was on children, with games and entertainment that included clowns Sparkles and Ravioli, a stilt walker and musical acts.

Organizers also had a strong emphasis on safety and awareness. Demonstrations included digital fingerprinting and Tracy Police Department K-9 units. Free identification kits were offered.

Awareness Day also had its share of ceremony. The national anthem was performed and the Girl Scouts of Central California provided a color guard team.

Among the guest speakers were members of the City Council, police department, fire department and Marc Klaas of the KlaasKids Foundation.

Organizers said the goal of the awareness event was to "bring fun and healing to the community."

This is very interesting, Sacsayhuan. The evidence supports the opinion of the former Sacramento FBI profiler that is saying the January incident and the adult drugging were "practice" runs, and that Sandra's murder was premeditated--that MH was "obsessed" with Sandra and has been planning her murder for quite some time. Wow. I'll see if I can find the link to the article. She's a sociopath. If I had the opportunity, I'd pull the levers myself.

As an aside, maybe the good Wendy Murphy can learn something from this . . .

As a former prosecutor I must say I am saddened at such an ill-researched piece. You know full well that drivel would not have so much as secured a warrant to search a shared computer in a public library flashing child porn ads.

Few things:This child WAS examined at the hospital on 1/17/09, not just following Huckaby's arrest.

I could find NO study linking Benzos to child porn or date rape.

I have never seen a single report referring to any victims as "poisoned". Apparently neither have you as there is not a single source link in this article for anything.

That said, you bluffed your way through what should have been an important piece had you taken the time to research it. Here's a thought. Pretend you are BUILDING A CASE for same against Huckaby.

I'll be gracious and give you a place to start:

The Tracy PD has been quoted as saying they FOUND child porn in SEVERAL homes in Orchard Estates. However, there have been no arrests to date. Whadda ya make of that?

I am quoting myself to bump this comment, I just checked, it DID NOT make the site.

Let me say publicly that if I ever put out a piece of factless crap whereby a have a professional responsibility to do so, I will not only approve such a comment, but be embarrased by it. I expected better from a former prosecutor, and I am going to tell Robin Sax not to talk to her anymore.

May 26, 2009 7:34 am US/Pacific Tracy Church Where Huckaby Taught Is VandalizedTRACYA Tracy church where Sandra Cantu's suspected killer taught Sunday school was vandalized over the weekend.

Vandals damaged the sign atthe Clover Road Baptist church where Melissa Huckaby was a Sunday school teacher.

Sandra disappeared March 27. She was last seen on a surveillance camera skipping outside the mobile home park in Tracy where she lived just five doors down from Melissa Huckaby. Cantu's body was found ten days after her disapperance stuffed in a suitcase. Huckaby was later arrested.

Police have told CBS News they believe 8-year-old Sandra Cantu was murdered in the church where her accused killer served as a Sunday school teacher.

Huckaby's grandfather, Lane Lawless, is the pastor there and is calling for people to back off.

"The church is not the guilty party. We don't know who is. And like everyone else and like the family of the little girlm our heart goes out to them. I know they are hurting and they want to know who's responsible," said Pastor Lawless.

May 26, 2009 7:34 am US/Pacific Tracy Church Where Huckaby Taught Is VandalizedTRACYA Tracy church where Sandra Cantu's suspected killer taught Sunday school was vandalized over the weekend.

Vandals damaged the sign atthe Clover Road Baptist church where Melissa Huckaby was a Sunday school teacher.

Sandra disappeared March 27. She was last seen on a surveillance camera skipping outside the mobile home park in Tracy where she lived just five doors down from Melissa Huckaby. Cantu's body was found ten days after her disapperance stuffed in a suitcase. Huckaby was later arrested.

Police have told CBS News they believe 8-year-old Sandra Cantu was murdered in the church where her accused killer served as a Sunday school teacher.

Huckaby's grandfather, Lane Lawless, is the pastor there and is calling for people to back off.

"The church is not the guilty party. We don't know who is. And like everyone else and like the family of the little girlm our heart goes out to them. I know they are hurting and they want to know who's responsible," said Pastor Lawless.

He is truly a demented individual. Hey Pastor Lawless, a little girl was killed in your church under its cloak of God, likely by your grand daughter, its Sunday School teacher. And you consider the church a victim? If you had half a heart, if you had any conscience whatsoever, if you had but 1 degree of compassion, you would voluntarily close it and find somewhere else to preach its "message." Allowing it to remain open and having "services" there shows your deep callousness and the callousness of your entire "congregation" that chooses to attend services there. Show some respect and compassion, you creep, and do the right thing for once.